The next morning, Adele woke early, her resolve steeling with the sunrise. She knew exactly what she had to do next. The events of the last few days had left her on edge, and every shadow seemed like a potential threat. She couldn't stay in the city, not with the Reid family's influence hanging over her like a storm cloud. Her best chance lay in the past, in a place she hadn't seen in years. Tanakan.
Tanakan was a small, quiet town, nestled an hour away by train. More importantly, it was home to the orphanage where Adele had spent the earliest years of her life. Sister Beatrice, the kindhearted nun who had cared for Adele during her childhood, was still there or at least Adele hoped she was. If anyone could offer her shelter, guidance, and anonymity, it would be Sister Beatrice.
Adele worked quickly, packing what little she had into a borrowed bag. The bag itself was worn, the seams frayed, but it would do. She carefully folded her limited clothes, a few plain shirts, a pair of jeans, and a spare hoodie into the small space. Her mind whirled as she packed, every step feeling like a countdown to her departure.
Fiona was not around and Adele felt disappointed because she wanted to see the girl before she left but as she bid the other woman good bye and exited the inn.
With the bag slung over her shoulder and her hood pulled up, Adele slipped out of the house. The streets were quieter than usual, but she still felt exposed. She walked for a while, her steps brisk and purposeful, until she reached the main road where cabs passed intermittently. One finally slowed as she raised her hand, and she climbed in, giving the driver the name of the nearest train station. The cab ride was uneventful, but Adele's mind was anything but still. Every car that passed, every pedestrian they overtook, made her heart race. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.
When the cab pulled up to the station, Adele handed the driver a few bills and climbed out. The early morning air was crisp, and the train station buzzed with quiet activity. People moved to and fro, some carrying luggage, others clutching coffee cups. Adele adjusted her hood, ensuring her face was partially obscured. As she stepped toward the entrance, something immediately caught her attention.
Men in black suits stood at nearly every corner of the station. Their presence was too deliberate to be a coincidence. They weren't casually waiting for trains or loitering; they were systematically scanning the faces of passengers, checking tickets, and speaking into earpieces. Adele froze mid step, her heart dropping. These weren't random security personnel. They were searching for someone.
They were searching for her.
"Shit," Adele muttered under her breath. Her pulse thundered in her ears as she turned sharply on her heel and headed back the way she came. She couldn't risk it. Her instincts screamed that walking into that station would be a one way ticket to disaster.
Adele spotted another cab idling near the curb and hurried over, her movements quick and jittery. She climbed into the backseat and gave the driver an address on the opposite side of the city. It wasn't her destination, but it would do for now.
As the cab pulled away from the station, Adele tried to steady her breathing. She glanced out the window, watching the city blur past. The tight grip of fear slowly eased until she noticed something odd.
The cab driver kept glancing at her in the rearview mirror. At first, Adele thought it was just her paranoia acting up. But as the minutes passed, his stares became more frequent, more deliberate. Her unease grew.
"Is there a problem?" Adele finally asked, her voice sharp. She locked eyes with him in the mirror, her expression guarded.
The driver hesitated, his gaze flicking away for a moment before returning. "You're Adele Callahan Reid, aren't you?"
Adele stiffened, her heart lurching. "What?" she asked, her voice rising in shock.
"Your face is all over the news," the driver continued, his tone matter of fact. "You've been reported missing."
"What?" Adele's voice was louder this time, the disbelief and panic clear. Her mind raced as she tried to process his words. Reported missing? That didn't make sense. Zach, her foster father, would never risk the public attention. He thrived in the shadows, and a missing person's report would bring unwanted scrutiny. Tris wouldn't do it either. He won't want public attention on her.
That left only one person.
Dothan Reid.
The name burned in her mind like acid. That bastard. Of course, he'd pull a stunt like this. Publicity meant nothing to him; he thrived on chaos. And what better way to force her back than to paint her as a missing woman in distress? Anger surged through Adele, momentarily eclipsing her fear.
"Turn on the news," Adele demanded.
The driver complied, fiddling with the radio until a news station filled the cab. Adele's stomach churned as the announcer's voice confirmed her worst fears.
"Authorities are asking for any information regarding the whereabouts of Adele Callahan Reid, who has been reported missing by her family. A substantial reward is being offered for any leads that help locate her."
Adele's photo flashed on the screen, a recent one, likely taken during a Reid family event. Her name and the reward amount were plastered below her face in bold letters.
Her blood boiled. Zach wouldn't want this. Tris wouldn't risk it. It had to be Dothan, trying to flush her out like prey. Her hands clenched into fists as she gritted her teeth.
"Are you okay, ma'am?" the driver asked, his voice cautious.
Adele snapped her gaze to him, her anger barely contained. "Let me out," she said sharply.
"Pardon?" The driver looked at her in the mirror, confusion written across his face.
"I said, let me out!" Adele yelled, her voice cracking with urgency. She couldn't stay in the cab. The driver had recognized her; there was no telling what he might do next. For all she knew, he could be calling the authorities or worse, the Reids.
The driver hesitated but finally pulled over. Adele didn't wait for the car to come to a complete stop. She grabbed her bag, threw the door open, and jumped out, her feet hitting the pavement with a thud.
The city buzzed around her, cars honking and pedestrians moving in every direction. Adele pulled her hood tighter around her face and ducked into a nearby alley. Her heart pounded as she leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath. She needed a new plan and fast.
The Reids were closing in, and she couldn't afford to make another misstep. Tanakan was still her best bet, but she couldn't rely on public transport. She'd have to find another way out of the city one that didn't involve train stations swarming with men in black suits or cab drivers who recognized her face.
Taking a deep breath, Adele adjusted the strap of her bag and stepped back onto the crowded street. She blended into the flow of people, her mind racing. If Tris and the Reid's wanted her back so badly, they'd have to do better than this. She wasn't going to back down. She wasn't going to let herself get caught so easily, not when she has come this far, not when she had tasted freedom. She wasn't going back to being caged.